Review of Dancing At The Blue Iguana

Introduction

Reading the boldly stated media quote “…much better than Showgirls” on its cover didn’t exactly make me jump out of my seat in excitement…Showgirls is perhaps the worst movie I have ever seen – only Problem Child 2 can match the torture.

However, in this particular film about strippers, at least there of a couple of C-list actresses with acting potential – Daryl Hannah (Splash) and Jennifer Tilly (The Big Chill). Dancing at the Blue Iguana is a improvisation piece about lapdancing and the world these strippers inhabit.

Video

The picture, although only presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 without anamorphic enhancement, still looks in great condition. The colours are strong and there is a good level of detail with minimal grain present.

Audio

There is a DD 5.1 track included, but, as always with more dialogue-based films, will fail to have the impact of more action-oriented movies. However, this is a decent mix and the soundtrack is reproduced well.

Features

A surprising amount of extras has been packed onto this disc; perhaps a sign of the huge DVD explosion in the last year or two, and the thirst for extras being answered. There are two commentary tracks: one by director Michael Radford, and the other by some of the female cast members. Both of these are interesting are give a good insight into the fascinating (well, for me anyway) world of stripping. Radford’s commentary is especially good and goes much further into detail than I would expect from an unheralded film. A set of eight deleted scenes is also on the disc and in very watchable, although inferior, quality. I always find deleted scenes a good inclusion, although it is quite obvious why each one has been left out.

The major extra on the disc is a mammoth 1hr long documentary on the film. This, I found, was far more entertaining than the main feature itself: why film something in documentary style when the reality is so much more gripping? Not only do we see plenty of backstage footage (lapdancing ‘school’ being my favourite) but we also meet some of the strippers the characters were modeled on. Finally, we are also treated to that perennial extra, the theatrical trailer.

Conclusion

Well, despite all the hype some PR nobody dug out of gutter tabloids to stick on the front cover, and all the stuff about this being an emotional improv piece with great acting, I can honestly say I think this was very close to being as bad as Showgirls. Daryl Hannah shows why indeed she has no career left, after a stinker of a performance like this, and the rest of the cast is no better. The plot is nonexistent, so instead we are treated to an Alman-esque character piece full of obnoxious people and too much dialogue. And most excruciatingly of all, there is, going flat against the first rule of cinema, a poetry-reading scene! Maybe I am too harsh – I cannot deny the film scenes very realistic, or that the dances are very sexy (if that’s what you want to buy this for). But if you’re hoping for any non-sexual entertainment, then I suggest the documentary in the special features is worth a look at first.